Article Beyond multidirectional technology transfer: The case of a ‘proof-of-concept network’ Mariacarmela Passarelli, Alfio Cariola and Pino Vecellio University of Calabria, Italy Abstract This article focuses on co-development technology transfer models. It offers an empirical analysis of a pioneer model applied in Italy: the proof-of-concept network (PoCN) applied by AREA Science Park in Trieste. Starting with a review of the literature, the authors identify the drivers that facilitate collaboration between the industrial and research systems in the embryonic phase of technology development. Then, discussing the PoCN model, the article analyzes and explores an emerging phenomenon that is as yet poorly understood. The application of a model for co-development, in fact, highlights many advantages for both firms and the research system and improves the efficiency of matching between these distant and heterogeneous sectors. The authors report a single case study which, while appearing to be a limitation of the article, offers elements of originality because it concerns the first applied co-development model in Italy. There are many practical implications, not only for firms and research institutions but also for policymakers who seek to implement public policies to support innovation and technology transfer. Keywords Co-development, open innovation, proof of concept, science park, technology transfer The innovation ecosystem at national and international lev- els is characterized by a research system that each year produces a substantial portfolio of scientific results and patents (ASTP-Proton, 2015; Netval, 2016). However, these results often remain far from industrial application and commercial exploitation and do not generate the expected revenues. Companies, for their part, may find it difficult to evaluate the applicability of such research out- comes and to understand their potential, because the stage of their development is embryonic or because their perfor- mance or repeatability has not been sufficiently tested (Perkmann et al., 2013). Customers’ needs have become increasingly complex, and industry is expected to develop useful products and processes based on frontier technologies. At the same time, researchers are expected to address the practical needs of society. Thus, the traditional technology-push and demand- pull models (Dosi, 1982) are becoming obsolete in a highly dynamic and complex society. The challenge is to foster the transformation of scientific results into real processes or products for the market and to help firms tap into research systems to acquire specialized skills and develop successful innovation by applying cutting-edge technology (Cattapan et al., 2012; Chesbrough, 2003; Hallonsten and Christens- son, 2017; Peris-Ortiz et al., 2016; Perkmann et al., 2013). Among practitioners, new technology transfer models are emerging (Passarelli, 2016); these are co-development models, in which the research and industrial sectors work together to validate (proof) scientific results (concept) from the very early stages of the innovation process by taking into account multiple and heterogeneous actors. In the United States, for example, a variety of proof-of-concept centres (PoCCs) have emerged. Among these, the Desh- pande Center at MIT in Boston and the Von Liebig Center at the University of California at San Diego stand out. They were created from the desire of industrial and research partners to accelerate the transformation of research find- ings into industrial applications. For several years now, the European Union (within the 7th Framework Programme or Corresponding author: Mariacarmela Passarelli, Department of Business and Management, University of Calabria, V Piano Cubo 3c, Arcavacata di Rende, CS 87035, Italy. Email: mariacarmela.passarelli@unical.it Industry and Higher Education 1–14 ª The Author(s) 2018 Article reuse guidelines: sagepub.com/journals-permissions DOI: 10.1177/0950422218790538 journals.sagepub.com/home/ihe